Greenhouse gas emissions produced by fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, agriculture, and other activities have accumulated in the atmosphere for decades and will continue to change the climate for years to come. Bearing this mind, we must adapt and become resilient as well as take action to avoid creating additional emissions in the future.

Vulnerability Assessments and Reports

In 2013, City Council passed a resolution to identify the potential environmental, economic, and social impacts to City operations and assets resulting from climate change. As part of this effort, ATMOS Research, led by Dr. Katherine Hayhoe from Texas Tech University, developed climate change projections through 2100 for Austin. The final report to Council, Toward A Climate Resilient Austin, provides details from this analysis, as well as recommendations for future planning efforts to increase resilience.

Climate Resilience Action Plan for City of Austin Assets and Operations

Using the climate projections developed by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe as the basis for identifying risks and vulnerabilities, the Office of Sustainability worked with staff from multiple departments to develop a Climate Resilience Action Plan for City Assets and Operations. The plan comprises four key strategies to increase resilience:

Strengthen emergency response

Expand staff safety plans

Evaluate and upgrade existing facilities and infrastructure

Future-proof new facilities and infrastructure

Planning for Resilience and Adaptation

The City of Austin has plans in place or underway to increase climate resilience: